Train Carrying Molten Sulfur Derails in Lakeland

The incident around 2 a.m. caused residents in the area to be kept inside their homes for several hours as officials cleaned up and continued their investigation.

(Published Monday, Nov. 27, 2017)

A train hauling molten sulfur derailed in central Florida early Monday, causing the chemical to leak onto to the ground and permeate through the air.

The CSX freight train derailed nine cars, four of which contained the hazardous material used in making rubber, detergent and fertilizers, company spokesman Rob Doolittle said in a statement to NBC.

Polk County officials went door to door asking Lakeland residents who live near the scene of the crash to shut off their air conditioners, close windows and stay indoors. But county spokesman Kevin Watler said in a later news release that residents are now free to leave their homes.

In a Facebook post, Polk County Fire Rescue officials said a crew returning from a medical call early Monday saw that the train had derailed shortly before 2 a.m. just. Firefighters put out a small fire.

The train was traveling from Waycross, Ga., to Winston, Fla., and comprised three locomotives, 120 loaded railcars and 72 empty railcars. The train was carrying a variety of freight, including molten sulphur, cardboard, oats and rock, Doolittle said.

Hazmat crews are working with CSX railroad, the Polk County Sheriff's Office and state officials to investigate the crash. No one was asked to evacuate.